Nation sweeps Malawi media awards, Zodiak shines in electronic

Nation Publications Limited (NPL) and Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) were the only media organizations in print and electronic category respectively which dominated the annual Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa – MISA-Malawi awards presentation ceremony held at Mount Soche hotel in Blantyre on Saturday.

The awards were presented as part of commemorating World Press Freedom Day which falls on May 3.

Out of the 24 categories Zodiak scooped 14 awards while Nation Publications went away with 17 awards including Print Media House of the year 2013 award receiving the state of the art radio for the newsroom as a price.

Chitsulo receives the Media House of the year award, flanked by Cheu Mita

NPL’s rival company Times Group (Blantyre Newspaper Limited) only went way with one award which was won by Isaac Masingati in the Education Journalist of the Year print Category. He went away with MK150, 000 cash prize.

Nation Publications survived even when late Bingu wa Mutharika government had banned advertising; it continued to grow and did not resort to laying off staff because of dwindling cash. It has also been facing acrimous relationship with the State House under the leadership of President Joyce Banda due to what it is deemed critical publications of government policies and conduct.

The titles for NPL are The Nation, Weekend Nation, Nation on Sunday and Fuko .

Chairman of the awards committee Dr. Francis Chikunkhuzeni said NPL is a model media house which has set high standards in the country.

Surprisingly no electronic media house of the year has been chosen this year due to what the judges said failure of the submissions to meet requirements.

The media watchdog again did not give awards in the online media.

The awards were supported by Gift of the Givers, Airtel and the United Nations family. Gift of the Givers and Airtel supported the awards with K2 million (about $4 800) each while the UN supported 16 categories on the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) related stories.

The United States government also supported three categories.

Below is the list of categories, awardees and prizes scooped.

HUMAN RIGHTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Print: Wisdom Chingwede of NPL

Electronic: Winston Mwale of ZBS

Prize: MK150, 000

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC JOURNALISTS OF THE YEAR

Print: Dumbani Nzale of NPL

Electronic: Gloria Masanza of ZBS

Prize: State of the art Laptop

CHICHEWA JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Print: Boby Kabango of NPL

PRIZE: MK150, 000

SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR:

Nation: Peter Kanjere of NPL

Prize: MK 100,000

PHOTO JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Print: Nation Emanuel Muwamba of NPL

Prize: MK150, 000

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Print: Deogratius Mmana of NPL

Electronic: Shakira Chimbaza and Teleza Ndanga of ZBS

Prize: MK200, 000

WATER AND SANITATION JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

Print: Wisdom Chimgwede and Mavuto Banda of NPL

Electronic: Winston Mwale Zodiak

Prize: Top of the range laptop

FARM RADIO PROGRAMS AWARDS

Electronic: Shira Chimphamba from ZBS

Prize: Top of the range laptop

HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH AWARDS

Print: Philip Pemba from NPL

Prize: Latest Ipad and Canon digital camera

Electronic: Norman Fulatira from ZBS

Prize: latest Ipad and a Dictaphone

HUNGER AND POVERTY AWARDS

Print: Wisdom Chingwede NPL

Electronic: Noel Nkubwi from ZBS

Prize: State of the art Galaxy tablet

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Print: Frazer Potani Freelance journalist

Electronic: Pilirani Tambala from ZBS

Prize: State of the art Galaxy tablet

UNIVERSAL PRIMARY EDUCATION CATEGORY

Print: George Mhango from NPL

Electronic: Raphael Tenthani of BBC

Prize: State of the art Galaxy tablet

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR DEVELOPMENT.

Print: Ephraim Nyondo of NPL

Electronic: Pilirani Phiri of ZBS

Prize: State of the art Galaxy tablet

CHILD MORTALITY:

Print: Bright Mhango of NPL

Electronic: Submitted entries failed to meet requirements

Prize: State of the art Galaxy tablet

GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Print: James Chavula from NPL

Electronic: No entry

MATERNAL HEALTH

Print: Caroline Somanje of NPL

Electronic: Isaac Chawinga of ZBS

Prize: State of the art Galaxy tablet

HIV /AIDS, MALARIA AND TB

Print: Caroline Somanje of NPL

Electronic: Noel Nkubwi of ZBS

Prize: State of the art Galaxy tablet

BLOGGER OF THE YEAR:

Rebecca Chinjeka

RADIO TALK SHOW:

Pilirani Phiri of ZBS

COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR

Ephraim Munthali of NPL

OVERALL WINNERS

Shakira Chimbaza and Teleza Ndanga

Prize: High class microwave

LIFE TIME ACHIEVER

Reverend Dr Chenchen of African Bible College

Prize: High class microwave

MEDIA HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2013

Print: NPL

Electronic: None, because all submissions did not meet the requirements